Beaumont NAACP Holds Vigil for Gun Violence Victims, Shooting Follows

Two people wounded at Rogers Park an hour after community gathering

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:56am

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The NAACP Beaumont Branch hosted a candlelight vigil on Sunday evening to honor families who have lost loved ones to gun violence. About an hour after the vigil, two adults were shot and multiple nearby residences were struck by gunfire at Rogers Park in Beaumont, Texas. Both victims were transported to a Southeast Texas hospital and were in stable condition, according to the Beaumont Police Department. Authorities are asking the public to help identify a person of interest in the shooting.

Why it matters

Gun violence continues to be a major concern in Beaumont, with the community seeking ways to address the issue collectively. The vigil was an effort to bring residents together around a shared response, but the subsequent shooting highlights the ongoing challenges the city faces.

The details

The NAACP Beaumont Branch organized the candlelight vigil at the Beaumont Event Centre to honor victims of gun violence and provide mental health resources to attending families. NAACP Beaumont Branch President Natasha Martin said the event was designed to encourage the community to unite and develop programs, such as mentorship initiatives, to address gun violence collectively. About an hour after the vigil, Beaumont Police were dispatched to Rogers Park in response to reports of shots fired, where two adults were shot and multiple nearby residences were struck by gunfire. Both victims were transported to a Southeast Texas hospital and were in stable condition.

  • The NAACP Beaumont Branch held the candlelight vigil on Sunday evening.
  • Around 6:14 p.m., about an hour after the vigil, Beaumont Police were dispatched to Rogers Park in response to reports of shots fired.

The players

Natasha Martin

President of the NAACP Beaumont Branch, who organized the candlelight vigil to honor victims of gun violence and provide mental health resources to attending families.

Beaumont Police Department

Responded to the shooting incident at Rogers Park and are asking the public to help identify a person of interest.

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What they’re saying

“It's almost like a pile up because it's happening so often. Everybody's doing something but they are doing it individually — if we can come together we can form like a mentor program.”

— Natasha Martin, NAACP Beaumont Branch President

What’s next

Authorities are asking the public to help identify a person of interest in the Rogers Park shooting.

The takeaway

The NAACP Beaumont Branch's vigil highlights the community's ongoing efforts to address gun violence, but the subsequent shooting at Rogers Park underscores the persistent challenges the city faces in curbing this issue. Collective, community-driven solutions may be necessary to make meaningful progress.